MONROE — What started over 14 years ago as a way to donate extra supplies has now grown into a sweet partnership. Monroe Clinic Food Services is helping to eliminate hunger in their communities by donating extra meals to the Green County Food Pantry. On average, they donate approximately 50 meals a month.

After the main serving times every day, Food Services freezes the extra entrees. Then on Monday mornings, a volunteer from the food pantry comes to pick up the donations from the week before. These donations offer those who rely on the food pantry to receive a hot, quality meal.

This all started with the goal of eliminating waste. After special events such as the holiday meal, Food Service would have larger quantities of supplies or food, like extra hams. They saw this opportunity to give back and ran with it. All these years later, the partnership has now grown to adding the entrees as well.